Empowering Female Innovators in Netherlands Agrifood Sector
Amsterdam, Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
The EWA Programme 2025 supports female entrepreneurs in the Netherlands’ agrifood sector with resources and networking, fostering innovative solutions for sustainable food systems and climate resiliency.
The EWA Programme 2025: Overview and Objectives
The Empowering Women in Agrifood (EWA) Programme 2025 has opened applications as part of its mission to uplift female entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector across several European countries, including the Netherlands. This initiative provides female innovators with critical resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to develop and scale their agrifood businesses. EWA is organized by EIT Food, one of Europe’s leading food innovation initiatives, co-funded by the European Union [1][2].
Program Structure and Impact
The program spans a six-month period from June to November 2025, designed to accommodate 130 women with either an established business or a robust business idea in the agrifood sector. Participants will receive personalized mentoring from experienced professionals, entrepreneurial training, and financial support of up to €12,000, which includes participation and final prize grants of up to €10,000. These components are crafted to address unique challenges faced by women in the industry and to boost the creation of sustainable business practices in alignment with EIT Food’s mission for healthier, net-zero, and fair food systems [1].
Networking and Localized Support
EWA operates with the collaboration of local organizations and Co-Location Centers, such as EIT Food CLC South and North-East, which manage the program in cooperation with local entities specializing in fostering female entrepreneurship. Courses and mentoring are offered in local languages, ensuring tailored support for participants in the Netherlands and beyond. This localized approach enhances the program’s ability to connect entrepreneurs with their respective agrifood ecosystems [2].
The Regional and Global Context
The EWA Programme aligns with broader global initiatives, highlighting the increasing acknowledgement of women’s roles in sustainable agriculture. According to the UN declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, women are pivotal in global agriculture, responsible for a significant percentage of food production in developing regions. Initiatives like EWA are critical in shifting paradigms and policies to support women’s full participation in agrifood systems, ensuring enhanced food security and sustainable development [3][4].